4 out of 5 stars
SUMMER OF JOY by Ann H. Gabhart is a unique book that
touches on several genres. From small
town life, to divorce, to the feeling of failure, to forgiveness, to romance,
even a touch of suspense, SUMMER OF JOY was definitely an interesting read.
Jocie Brooke is a child of optimism. Though she’s already experienced heartbreak
at a young age, she refuses to allow the negative circumstances in life to get
her down. Since her mother left town
when she was younger, Jocie has been fiercely protective of her father. When her sister returns to town unmarried,
with an infant on her hip, Jocie again chooses to look at the good not the
bad. Knowing her father is on the verge
of a proposal, Jocie couldn’t be happier, feeling like her family has turned a
corner and only the best is yet to come.
Though Leigh is several years younger than her father, she definitely
meets with Jocie’s approval. But,
trouble is ahead that none of them could’ve imagine.
SUMMER OF JOY has a bevy of secondary characters that are
closely intertwined with Jocie, leading to various storylines. There is Wes, Jocie’s grandfather figure that
claims to be from Jupiter, Zella, a quirky character that assists at the
newspaper Jocie’s father produces when he’s not in the pulpit, to Mr. Hammond,
her creepy teacher that uses intimidation tactics on her while having a warped
sense of connection with Leigh.
All these and more make SUMMER OF JOY a story that
celebrates the fact that all families have a sense of dysfunction. But, from that dysfunction comes the things
that bond and unite a family together.
Though this was book three in The Heart of Hollyhill series, I was able to read it as a
standalone novel without feeling like I was missing out on something. There are a few references to things that
probably took place in book one and two, but it did not detract from or confuse
my while reading SUMMER OF JOY.
This book is a re-release from 2008
Book provided for review purposes.
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